Re: Beautiful with excema at 18wks.....ATearful Set Back

Hi Kelly,

Don't panic! It's not a set back; it's teething. Yes, teething triggers eczema flareups in infants. During those times, you will have to be more diligent than normal in keeping the area around the mouth clean. Yes, forge on and continue with your routine. A flareup is a warning to the body to pay attention to certain areas. It only becomes severe when the message is suppressed, and not addressed. You have every reason to stay optimistic because you've got the wisdom to handle it. Finding the product line that works with your son's sensitive skin; and that promotes the skin's natural healing process is a major victory. However, as I have said before and as your case proves (as did ours), the external is just one part of the battle. Your instincts told you that the teething (drooling saliva around mouth area) was a possible instigator; as well as the lack of diligence in others to be as thorough in cleaning as you are. You were right. My message to you is to trust your instincts.

Remember that I stated that my niece's breakout was severe (all over her body). Behind her ears, her skin was cracked and bleeding. We moisturized her entire (raw) body, (with the exception of her scalp), with the Baby Bee Buttermilk Lotion. On the scalp, we applied the Baby Bee Vitamin E Hair Oil. We always applied the moisturizer to clean skin. Sometimes taking a cool wash cloth and patting the area before application. It took two weeks for her skin to totally heal in that instance because her breakout was so severe. That has never happened since (3 mo. old), and she is now 3 years old.

You don't have to keep your son in a bubble. You just have to educate those around him. Your mother probably knows a lot; however she is not all-knowing. This is your opportunity to teach her. Your son is her grandson. If she had a choice of you hurting her feelings or her grandson suffering; I can bet that she would insist that you hurt her feelings. (Ask me how I know this).

Regarding your two steps forward, 3 steps back; indulge me in this analogy:

Let's say your husband sends flowers to you at work just to say he loves you. To top it off, your boss offers you a salary increase that same day. You're driving home from work (on cloud nine) and suddenly, your car stops running because it's out of gas. The nearest gas station is a mile away and you aren't wearing walking shoes. Two steps forward, 3 steps back. But, wait! The fact that your husband sent flowers to you at work hasn't changed; nor has the fact that your boss offered you a salary increase changed. To top that off, you know how to get your car started again. Internal, external, and foreign. Stay optimistic because you know how to respond to the eczema breakdown and get the body running properly again. We fear what we don't know or understand. You understand eczema, so there is no need to fear.

Sincerely,

Aunty Tweet